We had a good but busy time for the past couple of days, so I haven't been here to wish people a Merry Christmas. So, a wee bit late, but not:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As 2013 comes to a close, I've been thinking about 2014 and what I would like to accomplish. Then last night it occurred to me: 2014 should be the year of "Icing."

I am not going to make goals. I'm not going to obsess over what I "need" to do.I'm not going to apply unnecessary pressure to myself.

I'm having a baby at the beginning of the year, and taking care of a newborn is a lot of work. I don't need to add stress to that by feeling like a failure when I don't meet self-imposed goals. Therefore, in 2014, I'm going to be the best mom I can be to my children, the best wife I can be to my husband, and the best friend I can be to myself...

Everything else, any accomplishments, projects finished, etc. beyond that are all going to be icing on the cake.

A neighbor once told me, while I was struggling with a newborn and trying to be all things to all people, that I needed to remember to put the big things first: the baby, my family. House cleaning and people outside that small circle could just fit in around the edges, if there was any space, and if not, I shouldn't beat myself up about it. For an overachiever like myself, it was an amazing epiphany. I wish you a wonderful Icing Year. I think you're very wise to do this. :-)